Beer dispensing apparatus



My 5, 1936. E H. SMlTH Zgg@ BEER DISPENSING APPARATUS May 5 36., E. H. SMITH BEER DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed oct. 1, 1934` TTOENE Ys Patented May 5, 1936 UNI TED STATES PAT E N T OFFICE Application October 1, 1934, Serial'fNo. 746,328

11 Claims.

This invention relatesl to new and useful im provements in beer dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to a beer dispensing faucet having means embodied in the construction thereof, whereby the beer, regardless of the pressure on, the beer at its source, may be dispensed into, a glass or suitable container without excessive foam.

Beer dispensed from kegs or barrels is usually maintained under a relatively constant pressure in the barrel in order to preserve the quality of .the beer, and to prevent it from becomingl flat before it has all been drawn from the barrel. To thus maintain the beer under pressure, Vair from a suitable source, such as an air compressor, is introduced into the top of the barrel at a pressure sufcient to elevate the beer to the faucet, when the latter is opened, This pressure is therefore considerably higher than atmospheric pressure, in order that the beerin the barrel may be forced through the usual conduit and connections between the barrel and the faucet of the dispensing apparatus. When an ordinary beer faucet is opened, the pressure on the beer in the barrel causes a sudden release of the beer to the atmosphere, whereby the beer is violently agitated. This sudden release of pressure causes the beer to become very fcamy or wild and results in considerable delay before aserving glass can be lled, since more beer must be added to the glass, as the foam is dissipated or settles. When anew or fresh barrel is opened,- the beer is often wild, and under such conditions, additional beer must often be added to each glass several times before the glass can be lled sufficiently to serve. The sudden release of pressure and agitation also causes the beer to lose much of the carbon dioxide gas which is present in rthe beer, which results in the beer losing 'much of its zest or flavor.

The present method of dispensing beer is also wasteful in that the foam that flows over the top of the glass carries with it, a portion of the beer, which is therefore lost, as waste. Another disadvantage of the present method of dispensing beer is that it is often very difficult for the dispenser to be sure that he is serving the same amount of beer andthe same amount of foam in each glass. This results because Yhe has no way of measuring the solid or foam-free beer that he draws into each glass.

rThe novel beerv dispensing apparatus disclosed in the present application has been designed to remove all ofthe objections now common inordinary beer dispensing apparatus. Briefly, the imc proved apparatus herein disclosed comprisesffa dispensing faucet including a body portion having a pressure chamber into which thef-beer is delivered from the barreLwhile under; pressure, air rst being delivered into said pressure cham- 5 ber before the beer is Vdelivered thereto,-whereby the beer is maintained under pressure-untila desired, or measured quantity has been delivered into the chamber, after which the chamber is cut off from the supply of beer, and the air pressure in the chamber released, whereby theibeer may be discharged from the chamberl intoa glass ,without excessive foam and substantially without losing any of the CO2 gas content thereof.

An object of the invention is to providea beer 15 dispensing apparatus comprising a -Valvebody having a closed chamber mounted thereon and a valve for establishing communication between said chamber and the beer supply under pressure, and means being associated with the valve .and 20 Uwith aY source of air supply, whereby whenthe valve is operated from its normal open posi-tion, air -is first admitted into said chamber at a pressure .substantially equal to the pressure ron the beerat its source, after which continued opera- M tion of the valvev/'ill cut off the supply of air to I the chamber, and open the latter to the beer supply, whereby beer will flow intosaid chamber withoutturbulence, and While constantly under pressure, and when the desired quantity of beer 30 has been delivered into the chamber, the valve is operated lto cut olf the supply of beer thereto, after ,which the air pressure in said chamber is released and the Valve subsequently opened to therefrom into a glass or suitable container vwithv out agitation and without excessive foam.

Other objects `of the invention reside in the unique construction of the Vdispensing faucet, whereby the supply of beer and air to ythe pres- 40 sure chamber is controlled by a single operating handle; in the specific construction of the valve and the air ports associated therewith, whereby air is admitted into the pressure chambergbefore the beer is delivered thereto, and isreleased therefrom to the atmospherebeforethe valve canbe positioned to permit the beer to drain from said chamber into a glass; in the air control` valve provided in the upper portion of the pressure chamberfor constantly permitting a portion of,50 the air therein toI escape to the atmosphere; in the provision of the means wherebythebeer may be drawn'directlyfrom; the `barrel intothe glass without going through the pressure chamber; in the construction of theair control; `meansg and the beer control means, which are embodied in a single plug valve having means for automatically taking up wear, whereby it is constantly maintained leak-proof and, in the means whereby the air control means may be connected directly to the source of air supply to the keg or barrel, whereby the maximum pressure in the pressure chamber cannot exceed the maximum pressure in the barrel.

The particular object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a beer dispensing apparatus capable of dispensing beer without excessive foam, regardless of the wildness of the beer at its source, and whereby the desired amount of foam may be provided on each glass of beer, and also whereby each glass may contain the same amount of solid or foam-free beer.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view on the line I-I of Figure 2, showing the Valve in its normal open position;

Figure 2 is a plan View of Figure 1, with the pressure chamber removed and showing the valve body partially broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction thereof;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional View on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View on the line 4 4 of Figure 2, showing the valve positioned to admit air under pressure into the pressure chamber;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view showing the position of the beer ports in the valve, when the latter is positioned, as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view showing the Valve positioned to permit beer to flow from the beer supply into the pressure chamber;

Figure 7 is a view showing the valve positioned to release the air from the pressure chamber just before the valve is returned to its normal open position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view showing the valve positioned to permit direct flow from the beer supply to the dispensing spout or nozzle of the valve;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional View showing the valve means provided at the upper end of the pressure chamber for venting Said chamber;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the faucet showing in full and dotted lines, various positions of the operating handle;

Figure ll illustrates a beer dispensing faucet in which the air pressure means has been eliminated and a piston substituted therefor;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view showing the valve positioned for drawing beer directly from the barrel into the glass;

Figure 13 illustrates a faucet comprising a chamber having a piston mounted therein, and means for admitting air into the chamber below the piston to permit the beer to be drained therefrom; and

Figure 14 is a View showing the valve positioned to permit the beer to drain from the chamber of the valve, and the venting means open to permit air to be drawn into the chamber below the piston.

The novel beer dispensing faucet herein disclosed is shown comprising a body portion 2 provided With an annular portion 3 having a seat 4 therein bounded by an upstanding annular ange 5, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2. A fluidcirculating passage 6 is provided in the body 2 and terminates at one end in a threaded socket 1, adapted to receive one end of a suitable pipe connection 8, shown threaded at its opposite end, as indicated at 9, whereby it may be conveniently secured to asuitable support I I of an ordinary apparatus, by such means as a clamping nut I2, as is customary in devices of this kind. The valve body 2 has an enlarged portion I3 adapted to seat against the support II.

A tapered bore I4 is provided in the valve body 2 adapted to receive a tapered plug valve I5, best shown in Figure 3. This plug valve is provided with a transverse port I 6 and a relatively shorter port I1, disposed at right angles to the port I6. The transverse port I6 is adapted to establish communication between a discharge opening I8, provided in the nozzle I9 of the faucet, and a port 2| establishing communication between the tapered bore I4 of the Valve and a pressure chamber 22. The passage 6 communicates with the valve chamber I4 by means of a small port 23, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. The valve I 5 has a suitable operating handle 20.

The pressure chamber 22 is defined by a cylindrical wall 24, preferably of transparent glass, so that the liquid content of the pressure chamber may readily be viewed. The upper wall of the pressure chamber consists of a metallic cap 25 having an annular seat 26 adapted to receive a suitable gasket 21, which is interposed between the upper edge of the cylindrical wall 24 and the seat 26. A flange 28 on the cap 25 retains the latter in concentric relation with respect to the cylindrical wall 24. A similar gasket 29 is interposed between the lower edge of the cylindrical wall 24 and the seat 4 to prevent leakage therebetween.

The parts 24 and 25 of the pressure chamber are secured in operative positions by means of a tubular member or post 3l having its lower end suitably secured to the valve body 2, by such means as screw threads, and having its upper portion extending through an aperture in the cap 25 and threaded to receive a clamping nut 32 received in threaded engagement therewith. To prevent air leakage around the post 3| where it passes through the cap 25, a suitable gasket 33 is seated upon the cap 25 and has a retaining washer 34 engaged therewith adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the clamping nut 32, whereby the gasket may be securely clamped against the cap 25 to prevent air leakage around the post 3|.

Means is provided for venting the pressure chamber 22, and is shown consisting of a small needle valve 35 provided at the lower end of a valve stem 36 having a knurled head 31 at its upper end, whereby it may be conveniently adjusted. The Valve stem 36 is shown received in threaded engagement with a socket provided in the plug 38, suitably secured in the upper end of the post 3I. 'Ihe plug 38 has a valve seat 39 adapted to be engaged by the needle valve 35, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 1 and 9. A small valve chamber 4I is CII :by: a suitable fiangeolV adjustingrnut :51, received 1 in .threaded engagement with a socket-"provided .in the' end. valve and having one end. of-:af spring 158` engagedtherewith. The opposite endv of;.the -springis seatedv against a washer559 bearing f Vagainst the valvezbody, as best shown in Figure 2, and; constantly exerts an koutward force Vagainst the, nut- 'I .to therebyiretain the valve ingleak- 'provided 4aroundtheflower end oi`A theneedle :valve 35 and communicatesv with therinterior'of ther-post 3l through' an oricefdzzand with an .fairzduct'434 provided within the Stem"36 ofthe -needle valve, as clearly` illustrated in Figure 9. Transverse ducts 44establish communicationbe- 'tween the valve chamber 4I and theairxduct43, 'whereby when the valve-35 is open, as vshown in Figures l and 9, thejpressure chamber 22 is open to theatmosphere through the valve mechanism, .above described, and a pairk of transverseports ,45provided in the wall of the post3I.

An important feature of the invention resides .in the means provided for admitting air under -pressure into the pressure chamber 22 before the ^valve I5 can `be rotated to the position shown in -Figure 6, to permit the flow of beer from the supply pipe 8 tosaid chamber. Such means is best `rshown.in.Figures 2 and 4, and is shown comprising a conduit l46 having one end connected -to the valve body 2,'and its opposite end suitably .connected to a source of air supply under pressure, preferably the source `which supplies air v.pressure -to the barrel or keg from which the beer is being drawn.

4A suitable airpassage 4'I is provided in the .valve body` and connects the conduit 46 with the valve bore I4, asshown in Figures 2 and 4. The passage 4'I is shown reduced in size at its discharge end, as indicated at48 in Figure 4. Ports 49 and 5I are provided in the plug valve I5 and are preferably arranged as shown in Figure 4, whereby when the valve is positioned as shown in this figurethe port 49 registers with the orice 48 of thepassage 4'I, and the port 5I with a port 52 having one end connected to the tubular member or hollow post`3l within the pressure chamber 22. It will Ythusbe seen, by reference to Figure 4, that when the valve is positioned as there shown, thel pressure chamber is in direct communication with the conduiti46, whereby air -under, pressure is delivered to said chamber.

'Meansis also provided in the valve for releasing theair under pressure fromfthe chamber.`22, and consists of a port 53 provided vin the` plug valve I5 and having oneend communicating with the converging ends of the ports'49 and'5I, and its `opposite end adapted to registerwith a discharge orifice 54 provided in the valveV body, as shown in Figures 4 and 7. The port 53 is arranged at a 4'slight angle withV respect to the ports`49 and 5I,

so that when the operating handle ZIJv reaches the tion, as shown at 56. "These cutaway portions position' shown in Figure 7, the port 53 will reg- --ister with the orifice 54, whereby the pressure chamber is opened directly to the atmosphere to -perrriit the air therein to escape, as will readily lbe'understood by'reference `to Figure 7. The -wall of the bore I4 of the plug valve I5 is out yaway, as shown at 55' in Figures 4 and 7, and the plug valve I5 is also provided with-a cutaway porfprovide means for retaining the portsA 52 open Sto the atmosphere, v'while the operating handle "28 is being moved'from the position shown in Figure 7 to its normal position-'shown in Figures 1 and 10. It will also be noted, `by reference to the-dotted lines in Figure 1, that when the operating4 handle is in its normalvalve open position, z the cutaway portions 55 vand 56 will establish communication between the port-.52- and the. dis- .charge orice 54, so that pressure inthe chamber 22 will be maintained atatmospheric pressure, vwhereby the beermay readily drain fromthe f' chamber`22 through -the nozzle I9.

.Theplug valve I5. is shownretained in itsY bore proof engagement with the bore I4. The spring thevalve.

Means-isprovided in connection with the operating handle for indicating the positionof the Aplugfvalvel I5 whereby the operator or rdispenser ,may know the positions of the ports inzthevalve x Iwith respect to the ports provided in the valve -body. :This indicating means is bestshown'v in V4Figure 10,..and may consist ofasmall pointer 6I secured to the enlarged endof the plug valve I5 .andi cooperating with a series of marks or ,suitable indicia 62, provided upon the adjacent end of the valve' body. Suitable marksv 63 and. 64 .are

also provided in the. cylindrical wall;24 .of :the vchamber 22 to facilitate measuringrtheamount of beendelivered into each glass. f the vmark 63.on the casing 24, may represent eight Y ounces of beer in the chamber 22, and the mark `64, fourteen ounces.

In other. words,

By this zarrangernent,the beer .dispensed in each glass may be measured;

so that each glass will contain the same amountsV of foam-free beer.

Operwtion The operating handle is normally positioned,

' as shown in Figures 1 and 10, wherein the passage I6 in the plug valve I5 isalinedfwith the ports 2| and I8 provided in the valve body, whereby the pressure chamber 22 is in direct communi- -cation 'with the atmosphere, as is clearly illustrated in Figure l. It will be noted, by reference to this figure,y that the passage formedby the i ports 2l, I6, and I8, is substantially straighty and free from sharp corners or bends, whereby `the beer may ow therethrough without being agitated. -When it is desired to draw a-glass lofi ubeer, the operating handle 261is moved from its vneutral position, indicated by 'the' letter N in Figures land 10, to the position A, shown in Figures-4 and 5, wherein it will be noted that the V'ports48 and 5I lare in registration with the ports 46 and 52 in the valve body, thereby connecting the pressure chamber 22 directly to the air sup- "ply pipe or tubef46, whereby pressure is immediately introduced therein. The operating handle is then moved to its horizontal position, in-i;

dicated by the letter B in Figures 6 and l0, where- -bythe supply of air to the pressure chamber is cut off, and the chamber 22 is connected directly to the beer line or pipe 8, as best shown irl-Figure6.

The air vali/e335 for venting the pressure cham- 'ber- 22 may be permanently positionedtoV allow pressure on the beer in the barrel will." force theA .beer through the usual connections betweenthe barrel and the dispensing faucet, into'the pres- Hsure chamber. 22. When the desired. or afmeasl581also acts'to automatically vtalreuup :wear in n10 ured amount ofzbeer hasibeen'delivered into: the

.pressure chamber 22 as, 1 for example, .eight ounces, the operating handle 20 is moved from the position indicated by the letter B, to that shown at C in Figure 10. Such movement of the handle will cause the ducts 49 and 5I to pass over the duct 52 and cutaway portion 55, whereby the pressure in the chamber 22 is temporarily restored to its full pressure, until the duct 49 moves out of registration with the duct 48, as shown in Figure 7.

When the operating handle reaches the position shown at C in Figure 7, the ducts 49 and 52 are alined, and at the same time the ducts 43 and 54 are alined, whereby the air within the chamber 22 may escape directly to the atmosphere, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 7, whereby the pressure in said chamber drops to atmospheric. The valve is then returned to its normal position, indicated at N in Figures 1, 3, and 10, whereby the valve is opened to permit the beer in the chamber 22 to drain therefrom by gravity, through the passage I8 of the nozzle I9, and into a serving glass or other suitable receiving means. Because of the ducts 52 and 53 being elongated, as shown at 55 and 56, the duct 52 is retained open, when the operating handle 20 is in its neutral or open position, indicated at N in Figures 1 and 10, whereby the chamber 22 is in direct communication with the atmosphere, to thereby permit the beer to drain by gravity from the chamber 22, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1.

It will thus be seen that the arrangement of the air ducts in the valve body 2 and plug valve I5 are such that air is automatically introduced into the pressure chamber and released therefrom, While the operating handle 20 is beingv operated to draw the beer from the barrel.

In actual operation, it has been found, with a pressure of say, from 10 to 15 pounds upon the beer at the source of supply, it is not necessary to bring the operating handle to a complete stop, when the ducts 49 and 5| of the valve pass the air ducts 48 and 52, in the valve body, because the ducts are of such size that the flow of air from the duct 41 to the pressure chamber is almost instantaneous, whereby a very slight retardation in the movement of the operating handle will permit ample ow of air to the chamber to build up the desired pressure therein. In like manner, when the handle is moved from the position B, to its normal valve opening position N, the air ducts are so arranged that all of the pressure in the chamber is released to the atmosphere, before the valve can be opened to the flow of beer from said chamber, whereby the beer will flow by gravity in a non-turbulent, smooth stream into the receiving glass or container, whereby the latter may be filled without excessive foam.

Should the beer not have a suicient foam thereon when dispensed in the glass, then the dispenser simply moves the operating handle from the position N to the position D, whereby the discharge orifice I8 of the nozzle I9 is connected directly to the beer supply pipe 8, as clearly illustrated in Figure 8, whereby the beer will be forced through the ports in the plug valve I5, into the glass by the pressure on the beer in the keg or barrel, thereby agitating the beer and causing it to foam violently.

If the beer in the keg is found to be rather fiat, which often results if it has been stored in the keg or barrel for some time, the operator may use the dispensing faucet herein disclosed, in the same manner as an ordinary dispensing faucet. In other words, instead of manipulating the operating handle so that the beer must rst ow into the pressure chamber 22, before kbeing dispensed into the glass, the handle is operated in the opposite direction or from the position N to the position D, whereby the beer does not enter the pressure chamber 22, but is drawn directly from the keg into the glass.

It will thus be seen that the novel beer dispensing faucet herein disclosed is capable of dispensing beer without excessive foam, regardless of the pressure on the beer at its source, or the wildness thereof. It has also been found that beer dispensed through the valve herein disclosed, has a better flavor than beer dispensed in the usual manner, because substantially all of the normal CO2 gas content of the beer is retained therein. When dispensing beer in the usual manner, a large portion of the CO2 gas content is lost before the beer is consumed, because of the inherent tendency of the beer to foam excessively. As hereinbefore stated, beer dispensed from the improved faucet herein disclosed may be delivered into the serving glass substantially Without foam, if desired, regardless of the wildness of the beer, which has heretofore been found impossible with ordinary dispensing apparatus, because of the inability to control the beer with such apparatus.

The faucet is very simple and inexpensive in construction, and its operating handle 2U is manipulated in substantially the same manner as the operating handle of an ordinary beer dispensing faucet. The walls of the'pressure chamber 22 being of glass, permits the dispenser to accurately measure the beer dispensed from the faucet so that each customer will be sure of receiving exactly the same quantity of beer. This is made possible by dispensing the beer in the novel manner herein disclosed, whereby it is not agitated, and therefore does not excessively foam when dispensed from the faucet. The valve may readily be taken apart for cleaning by simply removing the nut 5'I secured to one end of the plug valve, and by unscrewing the nut 32 at the top of the pressure chamber, whereby the cylindiical Wall 24 of the pressure chamber 22 may readily be detached, when necessary.

Figure 1l illustrates a faucet in which the air pressure means shown in the previous figures has been dispensed with and, in place thereof, a piston 65 is shown mounted in a casing 66, similar to the casing 24 shown in Figures 1 and l0. The piston 65 has a rod 61 extending upwardly through a guide 68 provided in a closure 69, supported upon the casing 6B and secured to the body 2 of the faucet by suitable means, not shown, whereby the casing 66 and the closure 69 are rigidly secured to said body. A suitable operating lever II is pivotally connected to the upper end of the connecting rod 61, as clearly illustrated in the drawings, and has one end pivotally connected to a link 'I2 supported upon an arm 13, here shown integrally formed with the closure 69.

The piston 65 is provided with a suitable packing 14, whereby the interior of the casing 66 below the piston 65 forms an air tight chamber 'I5 into which the beer is delivered from the pipe 8, in substantially the manner shown and described With reference to Figure l.

In the operation of the faucet shown in Figure 11, the operating handle 20 is moved from its normal position, indicated at E in Figure 11, to

the-position F, whereby the plug valve |5 is'rotated so that the passages I6 and |1 thereof register with the passages 23 and 2|, respectively, in the valve body. When the valve is thus positioned, the beer flows directly into the chamber 15\'fr0m the supply pipe 8. Before beer is admitted into the chamber 15, the piston is moved to its lowermost position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 11, whereby when the beer flo-ws into the chamber 15, it will impinge against thepiston and gradually elevate it, as a result of the pressure on the beer in the barrel, until the level of the beer in the chamber 15 reaches one of the level marks 16 or` 11 provided upon the casing 66, whereupon the valve is operated to cut off the supply of beer to the .chamber 15. Thebeer which has thus been delivered into the chamber 15iwi1l retain the CO2 gas therein, as it is,not exposed to the atmosphere because of the piston sealingly engaging the walls of the casing 66.

The operating handle 2|] is then moved to the dotted line position E,.whereby the passage I6 establishes communication between the discharge opening |8 of the nozzle |9 and the discharge opening 2| in the bottom of the chamber 15,

whereupon the beer will discharge by gravity l from'` the chamber 15 into a glass or-other receiving means, without agitation and without losing any of the CO2 gas content thereof. To prevent the formation of a vacuum in the chamber 15 above the level of the beer, the lever 1| may be' gradually moved downwardly from the full `to the dotted line position, shown in Figure 11.' Byithus discharging the beer from the vchamber 15'intothe glass, the beer will not foam excessively, aswhen drawn directly from the pipe 8 intoy thel glass.

The plug valve i5` is shown provided with a cutaway portion 18, whereby beer may be drawn directly from the supply pipe 8 into the glass when the operating handle 20 is moved slightly forwardly from the position E'in Figure 12, to the position G, whereby the cutaway portion' 18 will v'span the fluid 'passages |8 "and 23 to thereby permit a limited direct flow therethrough. When the handle is moved forwardly from the position E, the beer does not pass through the pressure chamber 15, but is delivered directly to the glass or receiving means from the supply pipe 8. When the beer is being delivered into the chainber 15-from the supply pipe 8, the piston 65,'as a result of its frictional engagement with the walls of the chamber, will maintain a pressure on the` beer in the chamber 15 until the plug valve |5 is opened to permit the beer to drain from said chamber, as hereinbefore stated. A suitable vent 16 is provided in the closure 69 to permit air to circulate into and out of the casing 66, when the piston-65 is operated.

In Figures 13 and 14, there is shown a faucet comprisinga' piston 8| having a rod 82 secured thereto and supported in a guide 83 provided in a closure 84-seated on the casing 66. The rod 82 has` an axial bore-85 adapted to receive a valve stemr86, the lower end of which is provided with av suitable-Valve head 81 adapted to engage a seat 88 in the lower' face of the piston 8|. A small valve chamber 89 is provided above the valve seat=88, andk communicates with the interior of theicasing- 66 above the piston, through suitable transverseI ducts 9|. A vent hole 92 is provided inthe closure 84, whereby air may circulate freely into and out ofthe upper portion of the casing 66, when the piston is operated.

The rod 82'is provided at its upper end with a suitable nger grip or knob 9?,` shown having a bore 94 therein adapted to receive a button 95.

secured to the upper end of the valve stem 86. A suitable compression spring 91 constantly urges the valve stem in an upward ydirection to seat the valve 81.

In the form shown in Figures 13 and 14, when the chamber 15 below the piston is empty, the piston will be positioned in its lowermost position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 13, and ythe-valve-81 will be closed. When the operating handle v212|! of the faucet is operated to permit the flow of beer into the chamber 15 from the pipe 8, the piston is gradually elevated by the pressure of the beer thereagainst, whereby the beer is constantly maintained under pressure until the desired amount of beer has been delivered into the chamber, whereupon the plug valve 5 is operated to shut off the supply of beer to the chamber 15.

To drain the beer from the chamber 15, the operator opens the plug valve I5 and then depresses the button 95, whereby the valve 81 is opened. Whenk the valve 81 is open, the beer in the chamber 15 may freely flow by gravity through the valve |5 and into the glass or receiving means in substantially the same manner as shown and described with reference to Figure 1. As soon as all of the beer has been drained from the chamber 15, the operator depresses thepiston to its lowermost position, whereupon the operating handle 20 of the faucet may again be manipulated to deliver another quantity of beer into the chamber 15. The closure 84 is secured'to the valve body 2 by suitable means, not shown in the drawings. The upper end or face of the piston 8| is preferably slightly dished, or concaved, whereby should anyof the beer accidentally escape from below the piston into the upper portion of the casing, above the piston, said beer may readily drain through the valve chamber 89 in the piston, into the chamber 15 belowthepiston, through the open valve 81, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 14.

The apparatus is very simple, and the beer delivered into the chamber 15 is maintained under pressure therein until the plug valve |5 is rotated to cut off the supply of beer to said chamber froml the supply-pipe 8, after which the valve l5 may be opened, as shown in Figure 14, to permit the beer to ilow smoothly into a serving glass without agitation and excessive foam.

If necessary, the pistons shown in Figures 11 and 13 may be Weighted, tov thereby maintain a relatively greater pressure on the beer in the chamber 15, before releasing the beer therefrom. It is to be understood, however, that the pressure must be released from the beer in the chamber 15, before the beer is drained therefrom, otherwise the beer would initially be forced from the discharge nozzle by the pressure in said chamber, with the result that it might foam excessively.

I claim as my invention:

l. A beer dispensing faucet comprisingl a body having a pressure chamber thereon adapted to be connected to a source of beer under pressure and an air supply under pressure, valve means for controlling the supply of air and beer to and iromsaid pressure chamber, said valve means comprising a single operatingmember and adapted upon movement in one direction by said'member, to admit air into vsaid chamber and thereafter a measured quantity of beer, and when said valve means is moved in the opposite direction by said single operating member, the supply of beer to said chamber is cut olf, and the air released therefrom, whereby the beer may be drawn from said chamber without agitation and excessive foam, and means whereby the beer may be drawn directly from said beer supply through the valve means to the receiving means without passing through said pressure chamber.

2. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body having 'a pressure chamber thereon adapted to be connected to a source of beer under pressure and an air supply under pressure, valve means for controlling the supply of air and beer to and from said pressure chamber, said valve means comprising a single operating member and adapted upon movement in one direction by said member, to admit air into said chamber and thereafter a measured quantity of beer, and when said valve means is moved in the opposite direction by said single operating member, the supply of beer to said chamber is cut off, and the air released therefrom, whereby the beer may be drawn from said chamber without agitation and excessive foam, and means whereby the beer may be drawn directly from said beer supply through the valve means to the receiving means without passing through said pressure chamber.

3. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body having a discharge nozzle, said body having a chamber thereon, means for connecting said chamber to a beer supply under pressure means for establishing communication between the chamber and the beer supply, pressure means for retaining the beer under pressure in the chamber, means for cutting off the supply of beer to the chamber, means independent of the nozzle for releasing the pressure on the beer in said chamber to prevent the formation of a vacuum therein, whereby the beer may be drained therefrom Vinto a container without excessive foam, and means whereby the beer may be drawn directly from the supply into the glass without passing through said chamber.

4. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body having a valve therein, a conduit connecting said valve to a barrel having beer under pressure therein, said body having a closed chamber thereon communicating with the valve, means for admitting air under pressure into the chamber before the beer is delivered thereto, and whereby the beer may be retained under pressure while in said chamber, means for cutting off the supply of air to the chamber and releasing the air therefrom, before the valve can be rotated to a position to permit the beer to drain by gravity from the chamber into a suitable receiving means, and a metered orice in the upper portion of said chamber for gradually releasing a portion of the air from said chamber, thereby to cause the beer to flow into the receptacle from the barrel without agitation.

5. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body having a passage therein, means for connecting said passage to a supply of beer under pressure, a valve in said body communicating with said passage, said body having a pressure chamber thereon provided with a discharge opening, means in the valve for establishing communication between the beer supply and said chamber, means operable by manipulation of the valve for admitting air under pressure into said chamber whereby the beer delivered thereto is maintained under pressure, means requiring that'the pressure in said chamber be released therefrom before the valve can be opened to permit the beer to drain therefrom, and a metered orifice independent of said valve for gradually releasing a portion of the air from said chamber, thereby to control the flow of beer thereto from said passage.

6. A beer dispensing faucet comp-rising a body having a passage therein, means for connecting said passage to a supply of beer under pressure, a valve in said body communicating with said passage, said body having a pressure chamber thereon provided with a discharge opening, means in the valve for establishing communication between the beer supply and said chamber, means operable by manipulation of the valve for admitting air under pressure into said chamber before the beer can be delivered thereto from said passage, and whereby the beer delivered to the chamber may be maintained under pressure, means in the valve for releasing the pressure from said chamber before the valve can be operated to permit the beer to drain therefrom into a suitable receiving means, and a metered orifice in the upper portion of the chamber for gradually releasing a portion of the air from the chamber, thereby to control the flow of beer to the chamber from said passage.

7. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body having a passage therein communicating with a supply of beer under pressure, said body having a pressure chamber thereon provided at its bottom with a discharge opening, a valve interposed between said discharge opening and said passage for controlling the flow of beer from the beer supply to said chamber, a discharge orifice in said body adapted to be connected to the discharge opening of the chamber by manipulation of said valve, means associated with said valve for admitting air under pressure into said chamber before admitting beer thereto, means made operable by rotation of the valve to release the pressure on the beer in said chamber, before the valve can be opened to permit the beer to discharge from the chamber, and means independent of said valve for gradually releasing the pressure in said chamber, thereby to control the iiow of beer thereto from said passage.

8. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body, a plug valve mounted therein and provided with suitable ports, said body having a pressure chamber thereon, air supply means, means in said valve for establishing communication between said air supply means and said pressure chamber, and whereby when the valve is initially operated, air under pressure is delivered into said pressure chamber before the beer is delivered thereto, whereby a pressure is maintained on the beer in said chamber to thereby prevent the escape of the CO2 gas content thereof, means made operable by reverse movement of the valve to release the air from said pressure chamber, whereby when the valve is positioned to permit the discharge of the beer from said chamber, the beer may be delivered into a glass without agitation and without excessive foam, and means independent of said plug valve for releasing a portion of the air pressure in said chamber, thereby to control the flow of beer thereto from the beer supply.

9. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body having a tap-ered plug valve rotatably mounted therein and provided with suitable ports, a beer supply under pressure connected to said valve, a transparent casing mounted on said valve body and providing a pressure chamber having a discharge opening communicating with the valve, said body also having a discharge nozzle adapted for connection with the discharge opening of said chamber by rotation of said valve, a hollow post in said chamber having an air duct connecting the lower end thereof to the valve, Valve means at the upper end of said post for permitting a portion of the air in said chamber to escape to the atmosphere from said pressure chamber, air supply means also connected with the plug valve, and means in said plug valve for establishing communication between said air supply means and said hollow post, whereby when the plug valve is rotated in one direction, air under pressure is delivered into the pressure chamber, and subsequently beer is delivered thereto from the beer supply, and means whereby when said valve is rotated in the opposite direction, the air is released from said pressure chamber before the valve can be positioned to permit the beer to discharge therefrom, whereby the beer will drain from said chamber without agitation and excessive foam.

10. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body having a pressure chamber adapted to be connected to a source of beer supply under pressure, and an air supply under pressure, valve means for controlling the supply of beer into and from the pressure chamber, a single operating member for actuating said valve means adapted, upon movement in one direction, to cause the valve means to admit air into the chamber and thereafter beer, and when said operating member is moved in the opposite direction, said valve means is operated to cut off the supply of beer to the chamber and release the air therefrom, whereby the beer may be drawn from the chamber without agitation and excessive foam, and means whereby beer may be drawn directly from the beer supply into the receiving means Without passing through the pressure chamber.

11. A beer dispensing faucet comprising a body having a pressure chamber adapted to be connected to a source of beer supply under pressure, and an air supply under pressure, valve means for controlling the supply of beer into and from the pressure chamber, an operating member for actuating said valve means adapted, upon movement in one direction, to'cause, the valve means to admit air into the chamber and thereafter beer, and when said operating member is moved in the opposite direction, said valve means is operated to cut off the supply of beer to the chamber and release the air therefrom, whereby the beer may be drawn from the chamber without agitation and excessive foam, means whereby beer may be drawn directly from the beer supply into the receiving means without passing through the pressure chamber, and means for venting the upper portion of said chamber to prevent the formation of a Vacuum therein, when the beer is draining by gravity therefrom.

ELMER H. SMITH. 

